Twin post railing system

ABSTRACT

A handrail structure which has pairs of laterally spaced post members capable of being arranged to present a variety of eyeappealing appearances including a combination of wood and metal. Each pair of posts has vertically adjustable clamp mechanisms extending laterally therebetween and in gripping complemental engagement to rigidly hold the pair of posts in laterally spaced relationship and to define a space between the posts for receiving wood filler pieces. Both the posts and the clamp mechanisms are cut from extruded metal pieces for inexpensive manufacture. An offset handrail is angularly adjustably mountable upon one of the clamp mechanisms of each pair of posts.

United States Patent 91 Thom [ Apr. 16, 1974 TWIN POST RAILING SYSTEM [75] Inventor: Wenzel W. Thom, Wichita, Kans.

[73] Assignee: Architectural Art Mfg., Inc.,

Wichita, Kans.

[22] Filed: Oct. 2, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 294,259

[52] US. Cl 256/59, 52/730, 256/65 [51] Int. Cl E04h 17/14 [58] Field of Search 256/21, 22, 24, 59, 65; 52/730 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 395,500 l/1889 McMullen 256/21 551,583 12/1895 Ellis 256/21 X 669,244 3/1901 Lichtfeldt... 256/21 UX 763,202 6/1904 Pence 256/21 776,968 12/1904 Vestal .i 256/59 2,669,434 2/1954 White 256/59 3,356,392 12/1967 Blum et a 256/65 X 3,389,931 6/1968 St. John 256/65 X 3/1965 Great Britain 256/59 Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Schmidt, Johnson, Hovey & Williams [57] ABSTRACT A handrail structure which has pairs of laterally spaced post members capable of being arranged to present a variety of eye-appealing appearances including a combination of wood and metal. Each pair of posts has vertically adjustable clamp mechanisms extending laterally therebetween and in gripping complemental engagement to rigidly hold the pair of posts in laterally spaced relationship and to define a space between the posts for receiving wood filler pieces. Both the posts and the clamp mechanisms are cut from extruded metal pieces for inexpensive manufacture. An offset handrail is angularly adjustably mountable upon one of the clamp mechanisms of each pair of posts.

2 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 16 1914 3804374 46 I 9 6)? 76 E Will/mgr TWIN POST RAILING SYSTEM This invention relates to handrail structure utilized as horizontal railings or in conjunction with stairs in homes, businesses or the like wherein it is important that the handrail have a pleasing appearance blending with the surrounding decor.

To reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining structural strength, it is desirable that handrail assemblies have structural members constructed of extruded material suchas extruded aluminum. Extruded material presents a relatively cold" appearance to the eye and appears out of place in decorative schemes designed to exhibit a feeling of warmth. These handrail assemblies as presently marketed are not readily adaptable in design and appearance, and it has been necessary for manufacturers to construct post members in a variety of different designs for use with different decors.

Previous attempts to combine wood with the extruded structural components to create softer, warmer appearances have been generally unacceptable for a variety of reasons. Such combinations lead to difficult assembly on the job site and require hand-finishing and sanding of the wood pieces during on-the-job assembly. Also, this combination of wood and metal construction has seriously limited the adaptability of the post member in being utilized with various arrangements of handrails, such as those which are vertically and angularly adjustable and offset from the post members. Again, to incorporate such flexibility in design it has been necessary to manufacture a variety of differently configured components, thereby increasing the costs of the assemblies.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a railing assembly having post structure of greatly increased design flexibility capable of blending with various decors and yet which utilizes a minimum number of differently designed parts in order to reduce cost of the assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide a handrail assembly having a pair of post members that are rigidly held in laterally spaced'relationship by a plurality of clamp mechanisms to present aesthetically pleasing arrangements such as a picket fence appearance, and alternately the space between the post members being adapted to receive a filler piece such as wood, and a handrail that is supported from one of the clamp mechanisms. so as to secure both post members to the handrail.

Another object of the invention is to provide a handrail assembly as set forth in the preceding object wherein the clamp mechanisms are vertically adjustable on the posts and the posts are variably laterally spaced from each other to create a variety of appearances while utilizing a minimum number of differently designed components in the assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide clamping mechanisms for such assemblies which comprise a pair of transversely facing clamps, each of which engages corresponding mounting surfaces on each post member so that transverse intersecurement of the clamps creates lateral gripping forces securely holding the posts in the desired laterally spaced relationship.

Another object in accordance with the preceding object is to provide an element transversely intersecuring the clamps and thereby creating th e lateral gripping forces on the post members, and a transversely offset handrail structure that is mounted to the element for angular adjustment relative to the post to allow the handrail to be utilized as a horizontal railing or as a handrail for stairs, the clamp mechanism and its transverse securing element being vertically adjustable upon the posts to vary the vertical position of the handrail.

Another object of the invention is to provide a handrail assembly as described wherein the post members are of identical, uniform, cross-sectional configuration, and the clamps are of identical, uniform, crosssectional configuration, the post members and clamps each being cut to desired size from extruded bars to reduce manufacturing and material costs and the number of differently designed components while maintaining design flexibility in the handrail assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide clamp mechanisms of the class described! which are of identical, cross-sectional configuration, the clamps acting as adaptable mounting brackets for securing the handrail to the posts or for mounting the posts in different configurations to the walls or floors of a building.

These and other more particular objectsand advantages of the present invention are specifically set forth in or will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred form of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a railing assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention and mounted in one design configuration to a staircase;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, side elevational view of one post assembly of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 with portions broken away to reveal details of construction;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the post assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a substantially vertical, cross-sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the handrail mounting bracket as viewed along line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, inclined, cross-sectional view of the handrail structure taken along line 7--7 of F IG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a post assembly assembled in a different design configuration;

FIG. 9 is a plan, cross-sectional view taken alongline 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. l0is a side elevational view of the railing assembly shown in yet another design configuration and as secured to a staircase;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, side elevational view of one of the post assemblies of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a plan, cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11. I

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1-7, there is illustrated a railing assembly 20 mounted in conventional relationship at the side of an inclined staircase 22. The railing assembly generally includes a plurality of post assemblies 24 whose lower ends are sidemounted to the staircase, and a pair of handrail structures 26 secured in vertically spaced relationship to the post assemblies.

Each post assembly includes a pair of elongated, upright, laterally spaced post members 28 of uniform, identical cross-sectional configuration. Preferably, the posts 28 are manufactured by cutting same to length from a bar of material such as aluminum that has been manufactured by extrusion processes. Each post has inner and outer mounting surfaces 30 and 32 that extend throughout the vertical length of the post 28. The inner surface 30 of each post is provided with a groove 34 facing the opposite post.

The outer mounting surface 32 of each post member 28 is comprised of flat, planar sections 36 and 38 that are transversely inclined relative to one another. As best shown in FIG. 3, the two posts 28 are arranged relative to each other such that the first sections 36 of each post are transversely inclined relative to each other, and the second sections 38 of each post are transversely inclined relative to each other.

Each post assembly 24 further includes a plurality of clamp mechanisms 40, 42 and 44 vertically spaced along the posts 28 and extending laterally therebetween. Each of the clamp mechanisms includes a pair of transversely facing clamps 46 and 48 that are of uniform, identical, cross-sectional configuration. Similar to post 28, the clamps 46 and 48 are constructed by cutting same to the desired length from a single bar of material, such as aluminum, that is manufactured by extrusion processes. Each of the clamps 46 and 48 have corresponding surfaces 50 and 52 of mating configuration to the corresponding surfaces 30 and 32 of the posts 28 to complementally engage the surfaces of the posts as clearly illustrated in FIG. 3. Clamp 46 engages the mounting surfaces 30 and first sections 36 of both posts 28, while clamp 48 engages surfaces 50 and the second sections 38 of the posts. Each clamp mechanism also includes at least one element in the form of a bolt 54 that extends through aligned, transverse bores in the clamps 46 and 48 to transversely intersecure same. Preferably, the transverse bore in clamp 46 is countersunk, and a press-fit, plastic cap 56 covers the exposed head of bolt 54.

The lower clamp mechanism 40 is of substantial vertical length and has a pair of transverse, intersecuring bolts 54 which are threadably received in a sidewall 58 as shown in FIG. 3 to side-mount the post assembly 24 thereto. Tightening of bolts 54 until the rear face 60 of clamp 48 engages sidewall 58 causes transverse intersecurement of the two clamps. Similarly, the other two clamp mechanisms 42 and 44 utilize a single transverse bolt 54 that threadably engages a tube 62, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, to draw the tube against the surface 60 of clamp 48 to transversely intersecure the clamps 46 and 48.

The transverse intersecurement of the clamps 46 and 48 of the several clamp mechanisms exerts lateral forces on the two post members through the complementally inclined sections 36, 38 of the outer surfaces 32 of the posts, and the corresponding surfaces 52 of the clamps. The relatively inclined relationships between the sections 36 and 38 causes these lateral forces to draw the posts 28 laterally toward each other until their inner surfaces 30 engage the corresponding surfaces 50 of theclamps. Continued tightening of bolts 54 exerts lateral gripping forces between the respective engaging portions of the surfaces of the post members and clamps to create gripping, generally complemental engagement therebetween that rigidly holds the posts 28 in laterally spaced relationship. The lateral width of the clamps 46 and 48 between their surfaces 30, of course, determines the lateral spacing of posts 28.

The upper surface of clamp mechanism 40, lower surface of clamp mechanism 44, and both the upper and lower surfaces of clamp mechanism 42 have laterally extending, central grooves 64 aligning with the grooves 34 in posts 28. Clamp mechanisms 40 and 42 cooperate with post 28 to enclose a central rectangular space therebetween into which is fitted a filler piece 66, such as prefinished wood, whose edges are received within the aligned grooves 34 and 64, as can best be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5. All of the edges of wood filler piece 66 are thereby enclosed by the clamps and post members. Similarly, the clamp mechanisms 42 and 44 define a rectangular space therebetween into which is fitted another wood filler piece 68 whose exposed edges are received within the aligned grooves 34 and 64.

The transversely'extending tube 62 whose inner ends are secured to bolts 54 respectively associated with clamp mechanisms 42 and 44, are a part of means 70 for supporting identical handrail structure 26 to the respective associated clamp mechanisms 42, 44. Each handrail structure includes an upper handrail 74 and, as best illustrated in FIG. 7, a lower metal support strip 76 secured to the handrail by wood screws or the like. The undersurface of support strip 76 defines a track 78 that receives a T-shaped bracket 80 as can best be seen in FIG. 5. A filler strip 77, or a splice for intersecuring different sections of handrail 74, snaps onto the lower track face of support strip 76 at locations intermediate the brackets 80. Each bracket 80 has its lower end secured to the outer end of tube 62 by a transverse bolt 82 threadably received within the same central bore which accepts bolt 54 of the clamp mechanism. Prior to tightening of bolt 82, the bracket 80 and the handrail may be adjusted angularly relative to the post members as desired.

Transverse tube 62, while allowing the handrail structure 26 to be mounted in transversely offset relationship to the posts 28, also accepts the bolt 54 of the clamp mechanism, thereby reducing the number of components necessary to mount each pair of posts 28 to the offset, angularly adjustable handrail structure 26. A snap-on plastic cover cap 84 encloses the headend of bolt 82.

The clamp mechanisms are easily vertically adjustable upon the post members by loosening bolts 54 and reducing the lateral gripping forces between the complementally engaging surfaces of the clamps and post members to allow the clamps to slide vertically along the mounting surfaces of the post members. In this manner, the handrail 74 may be adjustably positioned to the desired vertical location above the staircase 22. The wood filler pieces 66, 68 are accordingly sized to a length corresponding to the height of the handrails. Adjustable positioning of the bottom mounting clamp mechanisms 40 to the associated posts permits the heights of the post assemblies 24 to be easily adjusted as necessary to any variations in the staircase.

Assembly of the railing assembly to the staircase is accomplished by first securing the bottom clamp mechanisms 40 and associated posts to the staircase. Wood filler pieces 66, being cut to the required height, are inserted at the top of posts 28 within grooves 34 and slid easily downwardly into grooves 64 of clamp mechanism 40. Clamp mechanism 42 is next loosely located at the top of filler piece 66; wood filler piece 68 is slid along grooves 34 to its proper position; and the upper clamp mechanism 44 is loosely mounted upon posts 28. All edges of the two wood filler pieces are covered by the clamps and post members so that these edges need not be finished, thereby allowing the tiller pieces to be cut to size by power tools and eliminating hand-sanding of the filler pieces. The bolts 54 of clamp mechanisms 42 and 44 are tightened upon the associated tube 62 to transversely intersecure the clamps and, at the same time, create the lateral gripping forces rigidly holding the posts in laterally spaced relationship. The handrail structures 26 are then mounted in place by brackets 80 and bolts 82, the handrails being adjusted to desired angular pitch prior to tightening of bolts 82.

While two handrail structures are illustrated in FIG. 1, the lower handrail and associated clamp mechanisms 42 may be eliminated if desired, and a single wood filler piece extending between clamps 40 and 44 used in place of the two filler pieces illustrated thereby further increasing the versatility of the post design.

The lateral width of post assemblies 24 may be varied as desired by simply utilizing clamp mechanisms of less lateral width. Such arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 wherein the post assembly 24a utilizes the same posts 28 but has laterally narrower clamp mechanisms 40a, 42a and 44a. These clamp mechanisms have transversely facing clamps 46a and 48a and are otherwise structurally similar and operate identically to the clamp mechanisms described with respect to FIG. 1. Clamp mechanisms 42a and 44a are secured to the same transverse tube 62 as in FIG. 1, thereby again permitting a, transversely offset, angularly adjustable hand rail structure to be mounted thereon. Wood filler pieces 66a and 68a of correspondingly less width are inserted in the spaces defined between the clamp mechanisms and posts. Accordingly, by simply utilizing clamps 46a and 48a instead of clamps 46 and 48, a post assembly of different lateral width is realized.

Another arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 is designed to present a picket fence appearance. Each post assembly 24b is generally quite similar to that shown in FIG. 1, comprising the same pair of post members 28 and clamp mechanisms 40b, 42b and 44b which have corresponding surfaces in generally complemental engagement with the mounting surfaces 30 and 32 of posts 28 in order to cooperate therewith in effecting the same gripping, lateral securement rigidly holding the posts in laterally spaced relationship. As contrasted with the previous arrangements however, no wood filler pieces are inserted within the spaces 86 and 88 defined between the clamp mechanisms and the post members. Thus, by properly laterally spacing the several post assemblies 241) in accordance with the lateral spacing between each post 28 as defined by the lateral width of the clamp mechanisms 40b, 42b and 44b, as best shown in FIG. 10, a picket fence appearance results. At the same time however, the structure of the clamp mechanisms permits each pair of post members 28 to be secured to each handrail by a single bolt 54 as in the previous arrangements rather than requiring that each post element of the picket fence arrangement be independently secured to each handrail structure. This arrangement renders it unnecessary to include grooves on the surfaces of the clamps 46b and 48b that-face the rectangular spaces 86 and 88.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A twin post railing assembly comprising a pair of elongated, upright, laterally spaced post member of the same cross-sectional configuration and each having first and second opposed, outwardly facing, relatively flat surface inclined transversely of respective members and diverging in the direction of the opposite post member spaced therefrom,

the opposed upright faces of the post member in direct opposition being provided with upright, vertically aligned slots therein of substantially equal width;

a plurality of vertically spaced clamp mechanisms extending laterally between the post members and each including first and second horizontally extending,.elongated, directly facing clamps of the same cross-sectional shape opposed ends of each of the clamps being provided with transversely inclined clamp surfaces configured to complementally mate with'a corresponding inclined surface of the first and second post members respectively in sliding engagement therewith, the clamping surfaces of opposed clamps at opposite ends thereof converging as respective end extremities of the clamps are approached;

bolt means extending transversely through the clamps between the post members forcing the clamps into proximal, aligned relationship and effecting gripping engagement of the clamps with the post members and forcing the post members toward each other as the inclined surfaces of the clamps slide along corresponding inclined surfaces of the post members;

handrail structure;

means securing the handrail structure to one of the clamps of one of the clamp mechanisms in horizontally offset relationship from the upright plane of the post members; and H I a planar wooden decorative filler piece extending between said post members and having opposed, upright end margins complementally received in respective grooves therefor, in the post members.

2. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means securing the handrail structure to said one clamp includes a horizontally disposed tube having an outer end longitudinally offset from the proximal post member and an inner end in threaded engagement with the bolt means interconnecting the proximal clamps,

there being a bracket on the outer end of the tube and adjustably carrying the handrail structure on said tube relative to the post member supporting the same. 

1. A twin post railing assembly comprising a pair of elongated, upright, laterally spaced post member of the same cross-sectional configuration and each having first and second opposed, outwardly facing, relatively flat surface inclined transversely of respective members and diverging in the direction of the opposite post member spaced therefrom, the opposed upright faces of the post member in direct opposition being provided with upright, vertically aligned slots therein of substantially equal width; a plurality of vertically spaced clamp mechanisms extending laterally between the post members and each including first and second horizontally extending, elongated, directly facing clamps of the same cross-sectional shape opposed ends of each of the clamps being provided with transversely inclined clamp surfaces configured to complementally mate with a corresponding inclined surface of the first and second post members respectively in sliding engagement therewith, the clamping surfaces of opposed clamps at opposite ends thereof converging as respective end extremities of the clamps are approached; bolt means extending transversely through the clamps between the post members forcing the clamps into proximal, aligned relationship and effecting gripping engagement of the clamps with the post members and forcing the post members toWard each other as the inclined surfaces of the clamps slide along corresponding inclined surfaces of the post members; handrail structure; means securing the handrail structure to one of the clamps of one of the clamp mechanisms in horizontally offset relationship from the upright plane of the post members; and a planar wooden decorative filler piece extending between said post members and having opposed, upright end margins complementally received in respective grooves therefor in the post members.
 2. A railing assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means securing the handrail structure to said one clamp includes a horizontally disposed tube having an outer end longitudinally offset from the proximal post member and an inner end in threaded engagement with the bolt means interconnecting the proximal clamps, there being a bracket on the outer end of the tube and adjustably carrying the handrail structure on said tube relative to the post member supporting the same. 